Commonwealth Scholarships

for Masters and PhD study

For developing Commonwealth country citizens

2017 terms and conditions

INTRODUCTION
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is one of the largest and most prestigious
scholarship schemes for international study in the world. Since it was established in 1959, around 34,000
individuals have benefited 26,000 of them have held awards funded by the UK government, managed by the
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSC). The CSCs Secretariat is provided by the
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), which is responsible for all matters concerning selection,
academic studies, and evaluation.
This document outlines the terms and conditions of Commonwealth Scholarships for Masters and PhD study in the
UK offered by the CSC for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries in 2017. These scholarships are funded
by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), with the aim of contributing to the UKs international
development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the
principles of the Commonwealth.
For information about the other scholarships and fellowships offered by the CSC, visit www.dfid.gov.uk/cscuk.
For information about Commonwealth Scholarships offered by other Commonwealth countries, visit
www.csfp-online.org

COMMONWEALTH PhD SCHOLARSHIPS

Support towards completion of a full-time doctoral postgraduate qualification at an eligible UK university.
Purpose: To enhance individual teaching and research capacity leading to increased institutional capacity
in academic and other sectors in Commonwealth countries, and to contribute to UK higher education and research
by attracting high-calibre international candidates and encouraging links and collaboration.
Intended beneficiaries: High-quality graduates who have the potential to become influential leaders, teachers, or
researchers in their home countries, and whose proposed research topic has been described to the satisfaction of
the selection committee as having a developmental and leadership focus.

COMMONWEALTH MASTERS SCHOLARSHIPS

12 months support towards completion of a full-time taught postgraduate qualification at an eligible UK university.
The CSC funds one-year Masters programmes only, and does not fund MBAs.
Purpose: To contribute to development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled
and qualified professionals and academics, and to contribute to UK higher education and foreign policy aims by
encouraging collaboration and links.
Intended beneficiaries: High-quality postgraduate students who have the potential to enhance the development
of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.

In addition, citizens of the Falkland Islands, Maldives, St Helena, and the Seychelles can apply for:

Scholarships for study towards an undergraduate degree in the UK

You must have applied through the UCAS system by the time you submit your scholarship application
If applying to study medicine, you must have secured a place at a UK medical school by 31 October 2016

ELIGIBILITY
To apply for these scholarships, you must:

Be a Commonwealth citizen, refugee, or British protected person

Be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country. For a full list of eligible countries, visit
http://bit.ly/cscuk-developing-cw-countries

Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/
October 2017
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By October 2017, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class
degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Masters degree)

The CSC promotes equal opportunity, gender equity, and cultural exchange. Applications are encouraged from a
diverse range of candidates.

HOW TO APPLY
You should apply to study at Masters/PhD level at a UK university with which the CSC has a part funding
agreement. Part funding agreements are at the discretion of individual universities. For a list of universities that
have already agreed to part fund Commonwealth Scholarships, visit http://bit.ly/cscuk-uk-universities
All subject areas are eligible although you should note that the CSCs selection criteria give priority to
applications that demonstrate the strongest relevance to development.
You must apply to one of the following nominating bodies in the first instance the CSC does not accept direct
applications for these scholarships:

National nominating agencies this is the main route of application. For a full list of agencies and contact
details, visit http://bit.ly/cscuk-agencies

Selected universities/university bodies, which can nominate their own academic staff. For a full list of eligible
universities, visit http://bit.ly/cscuk-scholarships-developing-cw

Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies

All applications must be made through your nominating body in your home country. Each nominating body is
responsible for its own selection process. You must check with your nominating body for their specific advice and
rules for applying, and for their own closing date for applications. The CSC does not impose any age limit
on applicants, but nominating bodies may do so in line with their own priorities.
You must make your application using the CSCs Electronic Application System (EAS) information on how to use
the EAS, including detailed guides, is available at http://bit.ly/cscuk-scholarships-developing-cw.
Your application must be submitted to and endorsed by one of the approved nominating bodies listed above. The
CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the EAS to a nominating body in your home
country.
All applications must be submitted by 15 November 2016 at the latest.
You must provide the following supporting documentation to be received by the CSC by 6 January 2017 in order for
your application to be eligible for consideration:

References from at least two individuals

Transcripts

For PhD candidates only, supporting statement from a proposed supervisor in the UK from at least one of the
institutions named on your application form

Awards made by the CSC are subject to the ongoing endorsement of the nominating body. The CSC cannot accept
nominations for these scholarships from other organisations or applications directly from individuals; such
applications will not be acknowledged.
Universities or other organisations that wish to be invited to nominate candidates for these scholarships should
write to the Executive Secretary, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, Woburn House, 20-24
Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HF, UK.

SELECTION PROCESS
Each year, the CSC invites each nominating body to submit a specific number of nominations. The deadline for
nominating bodies to submit nominations to the CSC is 13 December 2016.
The CSC invites around three times more nominations than scholarships available therefore, nominated
candidates are not guaranteed to be awarded a scholarship. There are no quotas for scholarships for any individual
country. Candidates nominated by national nominating agencies are in competition with those nominated by other
nominating bodies, and the same standards will be applied to applications made through either channel.
Each nominated candidates application is first considered by a member of the CSCs panel of advisers with
expertise in the subject area concerned, and then by the CSCs selection committee in competition with other
candidates.
Applications are considered according to the following selection criteria:

Academic merit of the candidate

Quality of the plan of study

Potential impact of the work on the development of the candidates home country

TENURE AND PLACEMENT

Awards are tenable at any approved UK university or higher education institution with which the CSC has a part
funding agreement (as mentioned previously) for a specific programme of study or research. Awards are not
restricted to any particular subject areas. Awards are to obtain one degree; funding will not be extended to enable
candidates to complete a qualification in addition to or higher than that for which the selection was made. Awards
are made in respect of full-time study only and no other course of study may be undertaken at the same time.
You must make clear in your application which qualification you are applying for. This will enable the CSC to
consider your application in the correct category. Applications which do not make this clear may be considered
ineligible.
You are advised to propose a choice of three universities and courses/supervisors (for research degrees) that you
think are the most appropriate for your study, and to explain your reasons. This is important because the CSC will
not change the university or course of a provisionally selected candidate after the point of selection, unless
exceptional information becomes available that could not have been foreseen at the time of application.
If you are applying for PhD study, you may, if you wish, propose to study at one university for a four-year PhD, but
this must be based in a recognised Doctoral Training Centre. You must research this option thoroughly and justify
the added value of this above a three-year PhD. As the CSC will fund only a limited number of four-year PhDs, if
you do choose this option, you are strongly advised to also propose at least one three-year PhD choice.
The CSC will make the final decision on institution of study, and reserves the right to overrule any preferences
indicated by the candidate. The CSC will consider the suitability of the course and its value for money when
deciding on any overrule.
You must take the necessary steps to secure admission to your preferred universities in advance of your
scholarship application. Many courses have strict admission deadlines. You should check admission
requirements carefully when applying.
If you are applying for PhD study, you must provide a supporting statement from a named supervisor from at least
one of the UK universities to which you are applying. Applications without any statements will be considered
ineligible. You are strongly advised to provide a supporting statement from a supervisor at your first choice
university. If you do not, the CSC reserves the right to select you for placement at another university for which you
have provided a supporting statement.
If you are selected for an award but have already started your PhD study by the time of your selection, your award
will begin at the start of the next academic year (i.e. in September/October following your selection) and will end
after you have been registered for your PhD for 36 months (or 48 months for four-year PhDs). This is in line with
the CSCs policy on PhD length. Agreement on part funding in these circumstances is at the discretion of the
university you should check with the universities at which you wish to study before applying.
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VALUE
Each scholarship provides:

Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not
reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor usually the cost of journeys made before your award is finally
confirmed)

Approved tuition and examination fees

Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of 1,043 per month, or 1,279 per month for those at universities in the
London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2016-2017 levels)

Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable

Warm clothing allowance, where applicable

Study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas

For PhD Scholars, fieldwork grant towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (usually the cost of one
economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location), where approved

For PhD Scholars, paid mid-term visit (airfare) to your home country (unless you have claimed (or intend to
claim) spouse and/or child allowances during your scholarship, or have received a return airfare to your home
country for fieldwork)

If your scholarship is at least 18 months long, the following family allowances:

Spouse allowance of 224 per month if you and your spouse are living together at the same address in
the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply)
Child allowance of 224 per month for the first child, and 110 per month for the second and third child
under the age of 16, if you are accompanied by your spouse and children and they are living with you at
the same address in the UK

If you are widowed, divorced, or a single parent (irrespective of the length of your scholarship), child allowance
of 448 per month for the first child, and 110 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if
you are accompanied by your children and they are living with you at the same address in the UK

The CSCs family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining your family in
the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and you must be able to supplement these allowances
in order to support any family members who come to the UK with you.
For more information, see the Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows, available at
http://bit.ly/cscuk-handbook-forms

GENERAL CONDITIONS

A Commonwealth Scholarship covers fees, approved fares, and personal maintenance. Other scholarships,
awards, or bursaries that cover the same costs may not be held concurrently.

If your application is successful, the CSC will notify you that you have been provisionally selected (selected for
an award subject to the CSC agreeing your terms of admission to the university)

The CSC reserves the right to publish the names of provisionally selected candidates on the CSC website. By
applying for an award, you are giving your consent for your details to be published in this way if your application
is successful.

When terms of admission to the university have been agreed, the CSC will send you a Notification of Award
(formal offer of a scholarship).

When all conditions of the Notification of Award have been met, the CSC will send you a formal Confirmation of
Award.

You will be required to submit a medical report before your Confirmation of Award can be issued.
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You will be required to sign an undertaking to return to your home country as soon as possible after the end of
your award.

You are expected to start your award on the date stated in your Notification of Award.

If you require a Tier 4 visa to come to the UK to study, you must meet all relevant immigration requirements set
by UK Visas and Immigration. You should check the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa for
updated information.

All UK immigration regulations are set by UK Visas and Immigration and are subject to change. The CSC has
no control over these regulations.

You are expected to reside in the UK throughout your award, and to seek approval from the CSC in advance for
any overseas travel.

You will be selected for an award on the basis of the plan of study outlined on your application form, which is not
expected to change significantly during your award. Any such changes must be agreed by the CSC.

You must not undertake paid employment during your award without approval from the CSC in advance.

The CSC will consider a request to extend your leave to remain in the UK after your award only if you wish to
move from Masters to PhD study. Strict conditions will apply.

The CSC cannot provide a letter of support for you to remain in the UK after your award to work or undertake
postdoctoral study.

Your award may be terminated at any time for reasons of unsatisfactory conduct, progress, or attendance, or if
your registration is suspended or terminated by your university for any reason.

In line with the UK Bribery Act 2010, any applicant convicted of bribery will be banned from reapplying for a
Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship for a period of up to five years.

The CSC is committed to administering and managing its scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent
manner. For more information, see the CSC anti-fraud policy and procedure at http://bit.ly/cscuk-anti-fraudpolicy

All terms and conditions of award are subject to UK local law and practices, and are subject to change by the
CSC.

For more information, see the Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows, available at
http://bit.ly/cscuk-handbook-forms

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The CSC does not require any candidates to take an IELTS (English language) test. You should note, however,
that, as a further condition of award, you may be required by your university to provide evidence of a particular
level of English language proficiency.

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK

Woburn House
20-24 Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9HF
United Kingdom
www.dfid.gov.uk/cscuk